Flint Northwestern High School principal suspended after alleged altercation with student

FLINT, Michigan — The principal at Flint Northwestern High School is on paid suspension after a 16-year-old sophomore claims the principal choked him at school last week.

Northwestern Principal Fred White, a 36-year district employee who has been principal at the school since July 2008, was placed on paid suspension Oct. 23 pending the outcome of an internal investigation, said Bob Campbell, district spokesman.

White was placed on suspension the same day officials learned of the alleged Oct. 22 incident, Campbell said.

The student involved in the incident, sophomore Parise Tyler, 16, said he was in the hallway between first and second hours when White approached him.

The two allegedly exchanged words and Parise said White lunged at him and began to choke him.

Parise said he grabbed White by the tie and the two fell to the ground.

“It made me mad,” he said. “He shouldn’t put his hands on me.”

The student’s father, John Tyler, said his son was suspended for three days.

He said he was frustrated by the school officials unwillingness to disclose details about the incident.

“I don’t want to go to that school anymore,” he said.

White could not be reached for comment.

The Genesee County Prosecutor’s office is reviewing police reports and a DVD of the alleged incident to determine if charges will be filed, said John Potbury, spokesman for Prosecutor David S. Leyton.

Both the student and the principal have made allegations that they were assaulted, said Potbury.

Campbell said it is extremely rare for a principal to be suspended during a school year but could not say when the last time it happened.

“The faculty of the Flint Schools are professionals,” Campbell said. “The district takes very seriously its responsibility to the student.”